Newsletter #2: Funding Campaign 'Islands of Cats' - Reward the Work of Stray Cat Carers

Newsletter #2:  Did you know that on Malta and Gozo, a total of approximately 1'000 persons take care of -a conservative estimation- 100'000 feral and abandoned cats?

We made the math. Both islands cover a land mass of 316 km² or 122 square miles with a population of 450'000 in our mini-state in 2015. That's 1'424 inhabitants, or 3,16 persons feeding 316 stray and abandoned cats - per square kilometer!

In this urban density of one third of the land mass, and the barren landscape surrounded entirely by the Mediterranean Sea, stray and abandoned cats have little chances to survive. Lack of food, water, shelter and the 300'000+ vehicles in the streets (yes, that's true) would make their lives dangerous and short, if not supported by the many volunteers our book will to portray.

«Islands of Cats» highlights these men and women, whose vital work keeps the cats healthy and fed in permanent locations, and, most importantly, by neutering and spaying holds the furry population under control.

» click for full text and how you can contribute
» pledges start as low as CHF 10 / EUR 9

Bum, the cat with worried eyes

Bum was brought  to a shelter in San Diego when he was just four weeks old, and immediately captured everyone’s heart with his worried expression. But don't fret—this cross-eyed tabby has already become part of a family!

Bringing Your New Cat Home

Congratulations! You have a new cat. No doubt you're looking forward to years of happy companionship. But what do you do now?

This informative video from Singapore’s SPCA should give you some helpful tips.

Welcome to the Islands of Cats

A new kitten on the blog! We are an author and a photographer, with a shared passion for the Maltese Islands. We moved here in 2012, and soon observed that the Islands were also home to an abundance of cats! No matter where we went, we would meet cats bathing in the sun, or lying leisurely in shady corners. Even though  their permanent residence is in the streets, it doesn't go unnoticed that the strays are well fed and in top condition, gleaming with glossy fur and bright eyes. It is rare to see one that is unkept and sickly. Investigating even further, we noted ‘feeding stations’ where plates and bowls with food and water had been left for the feral cats.

We were as curios as a cat. Who was sustaining the purry felines?

In search of the answer, in October 2015 we embarked on an enlightening quest through the Maltese Islands, meeting persons from both genders and walks of life who, with a huge amount of self sacrifice, have not only  committed themselves to the welfare of their feline fellow residents, but in doing so have silently helped the Maltese environment.

And we are still travelling! Our journey will lead to a book dedicated to these devoted men and women. Introducing the reader to some of the individual caregivers, delve into their history and the reason for their chosen vocation. In the mean time, this blog shall serve as a permanent platform for stories and news about cats in Malta and around the Globe.